Winter on the Hi-Line doesn't wait for you to be ready
If you've lived in Havre for more than one winter, you already know: it's not a matter of if the first real cold snap hits, it's whether your truck starts the morning it does. Highway 2 drifts, -30° wind chills, and that one week in January when your coffee freezes between the house and the driveway are all part of the deal up here.You've got two ways to win this winter. Get your current vehicle ready with our service department, or trade up to something built for Montana roads with our sales team. Either way, Havre Ford has you covered.
Service: get your current ride winter-ready
- Test your battery before it tests you. Cold cuts a battery's starting power hard. If yours is three or more years old, have it load-tested now.
- Make sure your block heater works. Check the cord for cracks or chewed spots before you need it. A heater that doesn't heat is just a very sad extension cord.
- Get the right tires on. Good winter tires or aggressive all-terrains make a real difference on packed snow and black ice. Tire pressure drops in the cold, so check it often.
- Check your fluids. Coolant rated for Montana cold, winter washer fluid, and an oil change that isn't overdue. Diesel owners, think about winter fuel treatment.
- Swap your wipers. Summer heat cooks wiper blades. Fresh ones are cheap insurance when a ground blizzard rolls in.
- Make sure 4x4 actually engages. Test it on a dry day now, not in the ditch on Highway 2.
Sales: trade up to a vehicle built for Montana winters
If this is the winter your old rig finally gives up, don't wait for it to happen at -20° on a Monday morning. Here's what to look for in a Hi-Line winter vehicle:- Real 4x4 or AWD. The F-150 and Super Duty trucks are Hi-Line favorites for a reason. If you'd rather have an SUV, look at the Explorer, Expedition, Bronco, or an AWD Escape.
- Remote start. Warm cab, clear windshield, and you never leave the house. Once you've had it, you won't go back.
- Heated seats and a heated steering wheel. They sound like luxuries until your first January.
- Ground clearance. Drifts and unplowed roads are easier to handle when you sit a little higher.
- An engine block heater. Ask us which models and trims offer one, especially if you're shopping diesel.
Pack a winter kit like a Montanan
Towns are a long way apart up here, and cell service can be spotty between them. Whatever you drive, keep these in the back seat from October to April:- Blankets, extra gloves, hats, and boots
- A shovel, ice scraper, and snow brush
- Jumper cables or a portable jump pack
- A flashlight, water, and snacks that won't freeze solid
- Kitty litter or sand for traction
Stop by Havre Ford
We're local, we live with these winters too, and we know what a Hi-Line January does to a vehicle. Whether you need a winter checkup or a new truck to get you through the season, our sales and service teams are ready to help.Call us at 406-265-2246 or stop by Havre Ford today. Beat the first cold snap, and the rush that comes with it.
